Sky Sports and the International Cricket Council (ICC) have extended their partnership until 2031, solidifying Sky Sports as the long-term home of cricket in the UK and Ireland.
The new agreement will include all men’s and women’s events, including the ICC Cricket World Cups and ICC T20 World Cups, and will feature a major international men’s and women’s event each year, as well as a World Test Championship Final every two years.
This partnership also includes at least three confirmed events on UK soil, including the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2030.
Commenting on the extension, ICC CEO, Geoff Allardice, said: “We are delighted to partner with Sky Sports until 2031 as the home of ICC cricket in the UK and Ireland.”
“For the first time, the partnership will be a direct relationship with Sky Sports which gives us some exciting opportunities for innovative collaborations.
“I am confident this partnership can support our long-term ambition to attract more players and more fans to the game,” he said.
Sky Sports managing director, Jonathan Licht, added: “With more people watching cricket at the highest level after England men’s and women’s successes in 2017, 2019 and 2022, our award-winning coverage strives to give cricket fans the complete experience, with all the action both on and off the pitch.”
“This new direct partnership with the ICC means that Sky Sports viewers in the UK & Ireland can continue to enjoy every ball, run, wicket and catch from every international tournament for many years to come, and we’re all hugely excited to see what’s in store,” he said.
The deal confirms the growing popularity of cricket events in the UK, with the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 setting a record average audience for a cricket tournament in the UK and drawing the highest ever UK TV peak for cricket with 8.8 million viewers.
The announcement comes after Sky Sports expanded their partnership with Snapchat.
